Thousands arrive to show support for Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day

Supporters lined up behind each other at the fast food restaurant, stretching all the way around the block and on to the street, causing at times a slight traffic jam.

It was just as packed inside, standing room only for hundreds of hungry people.

They were there not only to fill their bellies, but to express their appreciation.

Action 4 News recently ran a story on how the LGBT community will be holding a nation-wide Kiss Day outside Chick-Fil-A restaurants coming up this Friday.

But Chick-Fil-A fans and supporters decided to have their own day at the restaurant, a day of appreciation.

"We know that everybody has their own opinions and feelings, everybody is raised differently, said Chick-Fil-A supporter Maria Castaneda. But we feel this is just a way for us to show support."

Chick-Fil-A TMs COO Dan Cathy recently stated his stance against gay marriage, and his bold beliefs on the Biblical definition of marriage as with a man and a woman.

Those statements caused an uproar across the nation and even here in the valley.

The LGBT community felt Cathy TMs comments and beliefs were unfair, and where he donates his money is used to support his Biblical agenda.

However, many people said they fully support the fast food franchise.

"We do believe in the Biblical model of marriage of a man and a woman, said Chick-Fil-A supporter David Sinclair. But it's also just a great restaurant, and we enjoy coming here."

Others were not so vocal with our cameras, and opted not to talk about why they came to support the restaurant.

Some even said they were only there for the good food.

Even though this unofficial Chick-Fil-A appreciation day is celebrated nation-wide, supporters in the valley feel that Cathy is just as entitled to his opinions and where he donates his money as the LGBT community is, too.

"We're really not saying that person is mean or evil or anything like that in our opinion, said Castaneda. It's just that they have their own rights for their own opinions as well, and so do we."